Christian Alvarado's first run at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships did not go exactly as he dreamed.

Fairfield Prep's junior standout re-injured a nagging foot injury and placed 39th at the nationals with a time of 16:28 at San Diego's Balboa Park.

"He tweaked his foot injury early," Fairfield Prep cross country coach Bob Ford Jr. said. "It's not a bad time, it's not as good as he can run."

New Jersey's Edward Cheserek took first-place honors for the second straight year, finishing in 14:59. Cheserek bested Fairfax, Va.'s Sean McGorty by six seconds. Bismarck, N.D.'s Jake Leingang finished third with a time of 15:07.

Alvarado injured his foot just before November's SCC championship meet but re-aggravated the ailment in the first 100 meters of Saturday's race. Alvarado still finished his first mile in 4:48, a testament to the race's swift pace.

"I went out a little too fast, faster than I usually do," Alvarado said. "If I had to do it all over again, I would've gone with the pack. But I have to live with my decision."

Though Alvarado's injury caused him to finish 39th in the field of 40 runners -- Joshua Brickell of Lawrenceville, Ga., was last because he did not finish the race -- pulling out was not an option.

"The thought of dropping out never crossed my mind," he said. "I didn't come all the way out here to San Diego to not finish."

He also said he'll use his performance as motivation to reach the nationals again in 2013.

"I'm not satisfied with how I did," Alvarado said. "I'll definitely use this experience ... and hopefully get All-American next year."

Alvarado was the second consecutive Prep racer to finish the national race. Prep's Connor Rog placed 18th at the Foot Locker nationals in 2011.